Risk had to rub away the tears that gathered in his eyes.
“May’s so funny, but my god,” I chuckled. “He is the worst kind of sore loser, I never knew he was so competitive.”
“You’ve got that right.” Risk sighed happily. “Can I use your bathroom?”
“Of course.” I entered my kitchen and flipped on the light. “Would you like me to give you directions? My house is gigantic; getting lost is a serious problem.”
Risk snorted. “I’ll manage.”
He walked down the short hallway and walked into the open bathroom. I forgot to tell him that sometimes Oath liked to sleep in the bathtub, but he realised that as soon as he flipped the light on and yelped with fright. I heard a hiss then a whole load of movement. Oath scampered into the kitchen and jumped directly onto my stomach. Since I was standing up, he hooked his nails into my clothing to hang on tight. I felt every single one of those nails scrape against my skin. I winced as I took Oath in my arms and gently pulled on him until his claws released the fabric of my uniform.
“It’s okay, baby boy.” I kissed and snuggled his head. “Did the big bad man scare you?”
“Scare him?” Risk asked from the doorway, his tone incredulous. “I nearly pissed myself.”
I laughed. “Are you okay, baby boy?”
“Maybe you should kiss and snuggle me and I will be.”
I laughed. “Go to the bathroom.”
He grinned then left the room once more. Without even thinking about it, I filled the kettle with water and prepared two cups with tea-bags. I put Oath down on the floor and he pattered over to his food and water station. While Risk was in the bathroom, I cleaned out his litter tray and put the bag of dirt in the bin outside. When I returned, Risk was in the kitchen. He was leaning his bum against the counter, staring at Oath.
“Look at him eyeing me while he eats his food,” Risk said. “He isn’t blinking.”
Oath was doing exactly that.
“He’s not used to anyone. Especially not someone like you.”
“Like me?”
“I’m small and soft spoken, you’re definitely not. You’re not a skinny, lanky kid anymore.” I titled my head. “You’re different.”
“Different how?”
“Well.” I raked my eyes over his body. “You’re a man now.”
When I moved my gaze back to Risk’s, I swallowed. He was staring at me so intently it caused a soft pulse to thrum between my thighs. I was very aware of how alone I was with him and it was a nightmare trying to keep my head out of the gutter. I couldn’t stop my mind from conjuring dirty, explicit visuals that played on repeat. I wanted to touch him so much it actually hurt. I need to cool down dramatically so I turned around and busied myself with making us tea just to give me something to do with my hands.
“I’m still the same person inside,” Risk said. “I don’t think I look that different either.”
He had to be joking.
“Puh-lease,” I snorted. “Your entire body is different. You’ve got muscles in places you didn’t before and I know you said you’re the same height, but I swear you’re taller.”
“I’m not, I’m just broader.”
“Well, you make me feel even tinier than you used to.”
“Because you’re a little slip of a woman,” Risk murmured. “I could fit you in my pocket.”
“I’m thirteen pounds heavier than when I was in school,” I teased. “I doubt you could still lift me—”
I sucked in a sharp breath as I was suddenly picked up from behind. A lone arm was around my waist and I clung onto it for dear life. Risk laughed when I slapped said arm as he lowered me back to the ground.
“I did that with one arm,” his breathy voice drifted into my ear. “You were saying?”
His body brushed against my back before he stepped away and I could have sworn my legs turned to jelly because I had to grip onto the counter to keep upright. I pretended that the surprise of him lifting me up was the reason and not that him touching me was almost my undoing.
“I nearly shat myself, Risk Keller.” I turned and glared at him as he leaned his arse against my kitchen counter and folded his arms across his chest, grinning my way. “I almost got air sick!”
Risk tipped his head back and laughed, and the visual, as well as the sound, made me smile too. His tone was so musical that even his laughter sounded like a beautiful melody. I loved his laugh. I remembered how I used to crave hearing it when I was younger. It would make my heart happy . . . it still did.
“You were barely off the ground.”
“I was a whole foot higher off the ground than what I’m used to . . . you know I’m scared of heights.”